Scribd
Upload
54 views3 pages

Chromate-Dichromate Equilibrium Experiment

This document provides instructions for a classroom demonstration or student experiment on the equilibrium between chromate(VI) and dichromate(VI) ions in solution. When dilute sulfuric acid is added to a potassium chromate solution, the color changes from yellow to orange as dichromate ions form. Adding sodium hydroxide then reverses the reaction, restoring the yellow chromate ion color. Proper safety precautions are required as the chemicals involved are toxic, oxidizing, corrosive, or irritants. The purpose is to observe the color change that results from shifting the equilibrium between the two chromium ions through changes in pH.

Uploaded by

haretasakurausagii
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
54 views3 pages

Chromate-Dichromate Equilibrium Experiment

This document provides instructions for a classroom demonstration or student experiment on the equilibrium between chromate(VI) and dichromate(VI) ions in solution. When dilute sulfuric acid is added to a potassium chromate solution, the color changes from yellow to orange as dichromate ions form. Adding sodium hydroxide then reverses the reaction, restoring the yellow chromate ion color. Proper safety precautions are required as the chemicals involved are toxic, oxidizing, corrosive, or irritants. The purpose is to observe the color change that results from shifting the equilibrium between the two chromium ions through changes in pH.

Uploaded by

haretasakurausagii
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

An equilibrium involving chromate(VI) and

dichromate(VI) ions
Class practical

Dilute sulfuric acid is added to an aqueous solution of potassium chromate(VI). Colour changes are
observed. The reaction is then reversed using aqueous sodium hydroxide.

Lesson organisation

This experiment is most appropriate with A-level students, given the potential hazards with solutions
containing chromate(VI) and dichromate(VI) ions. Otherwise it could be carried out as a teacher
demonstration.

This experiment can be carried out individually by students, but the potassium chromate(VI) solution used
should be prepared beforehand by the teacher or technician, given the hazards presented by the solid.

It should take no more than 5 min.

Chemicals

Potassium chromate(VI) solution, 0.2 M (TOXIC, OXIDISING, DANGEROUS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT),
about 1 cm3

Sodium hydroxide solution, 1.0 M (CORROSIVE), about 10 cm3

Dilute sulfuric acid, 1.0 M (IRRITANT), about 5 cm3

Refer to Health & Safety and Technical notes section below for additional information.

Apparatus

For one demonstration:

Eye protection: goggles

Test-tube

Test-tube holder

Dropping pipette

Health & Safety and Technical notes

Read our standard health & safety guidance [1]


Wear goggles.

Potassium chromate(VI) solution, K2CrO4(aq) (TOXIC, OXIDISING, DANGEROUS FOR THE


ENVIRONMENT) - see CLEAPSS Hazcard and CLEAPSS Recipe Book.

Sodium hydroxide solution, NaOH(aq) (CORROSIVE) - see CLEAPSS Hazcard and CLEAPSS Recipe
Book.

Dilute sulfuric acid, H2SO4(aq), (IRRITANT) - see CLEAPSS Hazcard and CLEAPSS Recipe Book.

Procedure

a Put 10 drops of potassium chromate(VI) solution in a test-tube.

b Add about 5 cm3 of sulfuric acid and shake to mix thoroughly. What do you observe?

c Now add about 10 cm3 of sodium hydroxide solution and shake the mixture. Do you get back to where
you started?

d Can you repeat the whole process by adding sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide alternately all over
again?

Technical notes

The process occurring involves the equilibrium between chromate(VI), dichromate(VI) and hydrogen ions:

The addition of acid encourages the equilibrium towards the right, producing more orange-coloured
dichromate(VI) ions. The addition of hydroxide ions causes the concentration of hydrogen ions to decrease,
and this brings the equilibrium back to the left-hand side, regenerating yellow chromate(VI) ions.

It is important that students realize that both ions are always present and exist in equilibrium with one
another, but that the yellow chromate(VI) ions predominate under alkaline conditions and the orange
dichromate(VI) ions predominate in acidic solutions.

Students may be asked if this a redox reaction. Their answer is often ‘yes’, but examination of oxidation
numbers will show that chromium remains in the +6 oxidation state throughout.

Health & Safety checked August 2008

Weblinks

Journal of Chemical Education [2] - a set of still pictures showing the colour changes.
Source URL: http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/practical-chemistry/equilibrium-involving-chromatevi-and-
dichromatevi-ions

Links:
[1] http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/node/1634/
[2] http://www.jce.divched.org/JCESOFT/CCA/CCA8/MAIN/8/08/32/thumbs.html

You might also like